Lessons Learned from Jenny Oaks Baker

Yes, I am a day late.

~BUT NOT A DOLLAR SHORT!

So on Sunday I was able to meet Jenny Oaks Baker for the Second time.  With Alex Sharpe!

Both are absolutely amazing and great people!

Now I've had a total of TWO Conversations with Jenny Oaks Baker and the first went something like this;

I pushed through the crowd asking for a picture(the one directly above), she agreed, posed, and the picture was taken.  Afterwards, she took a look at my name tag and said, 

"That's a very musical name."  I knew she was making a reference to my last name: Horowitz.  

I opened my mouth preparing to make some sort of witty response but another person pushed through asking for a picture.  I was already pressed for time, and she was occupied so I chalked it up to being famous, with a mental shrug of my shoulders, I wished her a good evening and got on my way!

The second went like this;

There was less of a crowd this time and my companion, Elder Elliott wanted a picture, I thought, 'why not? what's one more picture?'

This time she noticed my name tag first, and unbeknownst to her, she said the same thing again,

"That's a very musical name." Internally I thought, 

'Here we go again... I wonder how many pictures she has people ask her for on a daily basis?'

Now ready for the rush that would happen after the picture was taken, I had already prepared my response,

"I get that a lot."  I said with a smile, my quick thinking, my wit, all summed up those five words. Perfectly suave in all aspects.  She gave a wry smile,

"I bet you do."

~~

Looking back on this gave me the opportunity to think about names.

Names help us identify things.  We use them to describe things, people, actions.  She may not have remembered me, but she recognized my name.  She, with her 10+ years of musical study, knew the name Horowitz and stated what she had associated with it.

For me right now, I'm on a mission, that entails me spreading the gospel pretty much 24/7.  We are at this time, representatives of Jesus Christ and should act as such.  It's stated perfectly in 'My Mission Commission'

I am called of God.  My authority is above that of kings of the earth.  By revelation I have been selected as a personal representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is my master and He has chosen me to represent Him--to stand in His place, to say and do what He Himself would say and do if He personally were ministering to the very people to whom He has sent me.  My voice is His voice, and my acts are His acts; my doctrine is His doctrine.  My Commission is to do what He wants done; To say what He wants said; to be a living modern witness in word and in deed of the divinity of his great and marvelous Latter-day work.
How great is my calling!

We each do our best and though were not perfect.  We know what we're aiming for!

T

There's nothing stressful about Jesus Christ

So as I started writing this blog post, I started writing about the stress that comes with being a missionary... but now I realize as I've finished my blog post, that it's more about how I have found peace from the scriptures.
If you are living a busy life like me, you are probably experiencing some sort of stress.
If you are a child of God (trust me on this, you are), then you can find peace in Jesus Christ.

What helps me is knowing that we are not alone.  Jesus promised his disciples,

 "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."   

When I read that in my personal study, He is speaking to me and I feel my Savior's love.
St John 14:18   ...John 14:26-27 are also good.  Those verses talk about the Holy Ghost, which is how I feel my Savior's love often times.  :)

For some, stress might come and go while for others, it might be pretty consistent, but in this journey of life, it's pretty hard to miss the pit-stops of stress.

As a missionary, I experience stress.  Stress makes me tired, upset, worried, confused, anxious, and depressed.  Usually not all at once.  That would be bad.  My companion would have to call the mission president.

Sometimes it comes from what others say to me.

• I want to talk to people about the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Some people don't want to listen, others do want to listen, and then there are those who want to tell me what I'm doing is wrong, that I'm too young to be doing it, or I'm in the wrong community.  

• Sometimes my leaders say things to me that give me stress.  Sometimes that stress is needed for me to grow.  I can recognize that.  Usually we don't recognize it right away when they say the thing that makes us stressed.  When a leader says "You're not doing this right," or "You should be doing this instead of this," it is tough for me to handle in the moment.  Occasionally I can handle it then, especially if it is said with love, but usually understanding and growth comes from after I am cut down.

Sometimes it comes from what I do or do not. (as Yoda says).

• As a missionary, THERE'S SO MUCH TO DO AND KEEP TRACK OF!  It blows my mind how organized everything has to be.  Keeping up with the workload and assignments is tough sometimes, but I remember that it's the Lord's work, and it's not about me, and I keep going.

• I am somewhat of a worry-wart.  I am constantly forgetting where I put things I need, and I am constantly asking myself "Am I doing all I can to serve the Lord effectively?" Improvement doesn't come all at once and does not come without some sort of stress.  Improvement takes humility.

• I rely on the Lord to know what to say and ask to each person.  Each one of Heavenly Father's children are unique and their needs are different, but I know that whatever their needs may be, the Savior and His teachings will help everyone.

This is a scripture from the Book of Mormon that helps me understand that stress isn't a new concept in missionary work.
Alma was doing missionary work

27 Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.

The next verse reminds me that I have it good.

29 And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them; and we have been cast out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have been stoned, and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast into prison; and through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered again.

I suppose these missionaries experienced more stress than I am having.  I am grateful for the stress I am going through.  I know there is a cause for it all.

30 And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some.

This is why I'm out here.  I really don't care what I have to go through.  It probably won't be as much as Alma, but if there's even just one.  One person.  One person I can help realize how he or she can return to live with God again... that would make me so happy.  Just one.
Doctrine and Covenants 18:15-16

I LOVE THE BOOK OF MORMON!  I am sharing my testimony of the Book of Mormon with as many people as I can, even if it might get a bit stressful. "Read this I pray thee" (Isaiah 29:12)
 

I am grateful that my trials are not as challenging as Alma's or as Jesus' or many other prophets and missionaries of old.  Whenever I get stressed out, I think, "Well, I haven't been cast into prison for preaching the gospel yet like these guys have in the Book of Mormon."

I don't know what you have gone through in your life, what you are going through, or what trials lie ahead for you, but I know someone who does.

Jesus Christ was there for us, He is there for us, and He will always be there for us. He knows what we're going through, WHATEVER it may be.

 11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

 12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

Alma 7:11-12 says that he DOES know all that we go through in this life individually so that he might know how to comfort us, and so that he could pay the price we could never pay for our sins.

He yearns to help us with his arms outstretched.  I love this scripture in Alma chapter 5 
 33 Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you.
Peace and rest come with accepting the Savior's invitation.
side effects may include being cast out, mocked, spit upon, smitten upon your cheeks, stoned, taken and bound, and cast into prison... nah just kidding! :)  ...but seriously... through the power and wisdom of God, you will be delivered from all side effects and stress.

I leave you with this last scripture that might trump all the other scriptures about easing stress.

St Matthew 11:28-30

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

I know that's truth.

Thank you for reading my blog post.  Merry Christmas! :)

Diplomatic Epiphany

Due to some really bad weather, poor scheduling, and good 'ol fashioned procrastination, the post for this week was delayed.  So we are getting things back together!

Yes, I should've used flash...

 

The Show must go on~

Last week our district was asked to direct traffic at a diplomatic function.  For me, it was an excellent opportunity to both help out AND go to the Washington D.C. Visitors' Center. (an absolutely wonderful place)

 

So we suited up in the parking gear (lightsabers included), headed out into the chill air and got to work!

I was put in the North-West edge of the Parking lot, with a beautiful view of the Temple.  (See parking diagram below)

It gave me a lot of time to think(one of my favorite pastimes) as I was directing people to where they could park.  Specifically, I thought about prophets.

You may think, "why in the world would he be thinking about old men who talk about the world ending!?" (Maybe...)

That's not the point of a prophet. 

A prophet is put on the Earth so he can help lead and guide us.  He invites us to follow the commandments so that we can live life to the fullest.  This experience helped me understand that on a whole different level!

You see, I was put on the edge of the parking lot to guide people to better parking.  I would wave my 'lightsaber', beckoning people to follow where I was pointing, so they wouldn't have to guess or wonder if there was any parking available.

Some didn't listen.

 They would go ahead and park.  Some wandered aimlessly looking for a spot, eventually either following me, stopping and asking me where parking was available.  I would think to myself 'please, come on!'  or 'there's better parking if you'd just follow me!'

It was actually kind of sad.  The parking right in front of the Visitors' Center didn't get completely filled up until about twenty minutes before the Function ended.  Yet, the other parts of the parking lot were completely full.

People saw an empty space and went for it.  Perhaps they didn't see me or maybe they thought I might direct them to a less desirable spot, I don't know.

Just like the Prophets(sort of), I was leading people to a better place.  I was trying to tell them of a better way.  But some didn't listen, thinking, maybe, they knew more or that they had the right idea.  It may not have occurred to them that my whole purpose was to direct them to a better spot.

It may've been frustrating, but I did gain something;

A new vantage on the purpose of the Prophet.

Dano's Dinosaur: A Christmas Story

The Story of Dano's Dinosaur has been in my family since before I was born... because it happened to my parents before I was born.  It makes me cry almost every time I read it.  Merry Christmas everyone!

Dano’s Dinosaur

Trevor and I had been married almost a year, and we lived in a run down apartment building in South Orem, both students. The church had asked us to be Primary teachers of the seven year olds. These kids were beautiful, smart, good hearted, fun loving, clean, well dressed, loving, sweet little children and we adored them all. We had a set of identical twin girls, 2 boys and 3 other girls. 

As I prepared to give them our Christmas lesson, I worried and thought about what I could give them for a gift. We didn’t have any money to buy them anything, but I had everything I needed to make them each a sock puppet kit. In a paper bag I assembled a colored sock, used but in good shape, yarn, buttons, and instructions. I stapled the bags up, added a bow and name tag, and brought them to our Primary Class, aware that it was a very modest gift. I hoped the children might enjoy making the puppet anyway. As they filed in, I noticed we were missing one of the children, who had gone visiting out of town for the holiday.

Then in walked Dano. He had a long mop of wavy, light brown hair, and was dressed surprisingly. His jeans had holes in the knees, and his converse sneakers had a hole in one of the toes. It was WINTER. There was snow outside! Brrr, I thought. Everyone was introduced to Dano, and we settled down for our lesson. I loved observing the children with Dano, who didn’t seem to notice what he was wearing, or judge him in any way. They just accepted him. I watched with interest as he eyed the sad little "presents" I had invented. 

After the lesson and prayer, I passed out the presents as the children left one by one. Dano waited patiently as I rearranged to have his name on the tag. 

As I gave him the small brown sack, his reaction was something I will never forget! "Oh, thank you so, so much! I didn’t think I was going to get anything at ALL for Christmas! Thank you!" He wrapped his arms around my waist, and gave me a spontaneous hug. Then he stepped back and did something so sweet and unexpected: The boy reached into his worn jeans pocket to retrieve the small treasure he had brought from home with him. He held out his hand, and smiled huge, "Here! This is for YOU! Merry Christmas!" On the palm of his little hand lay a small, green, plastic dinosaur. 

It was all he had with him, and he wanted me to have it. He wanted to give ME something! Such a small, humble gift, from a little boy, in ragged clothes, yet he gave it with all his heart, in a spirit of giving. It was such an incredibly sweet moment. His gratitude for my simple offering, and his genuine desire to reciprocate, touched me deeply.

That year, Trevor and I had a miniature Christmas Tree. I had nothing to top it, so out of scraps of fabric, gold curling ribbon, and stuffing, I made a small angel, and drew a little face for her. She stood atop the Christmas tree as I tied a thin, white silk ribbon around the green dinosaur, under its front legs, and hung him next to her, and we have had him on our tree every year since.

We alerted the Church Leaders of the needs we saw, after finding out he and his two older sisters resided in a tiny hotel room, with one bed, and a tiny kitchen. The single mother family had fallen on very hard times. She was wheel chair bound, in a cast up to her hip. For Christmas, the girls wanted Trapper Keepers, like the other children all had at school. We found a few toys for Dano, and the Relief Society went to see how they could help. 

And so, our Ward embraced this struggling family in a spirit of love and service. The children received church clothes, and other physical needs were met. After several weeks, we went to the hotel to check on them. They had moved on.

Twenty three years later, we still unpack the ornaments, and the one our children most want to find and hang on the tree is the small, green dinosaur. It looks like a platypus, or harmless herbivore. They have enjoyed hearing the story of a little boy who had nearly nothing, but gave everything he had with him. He brought the dinosaur for security, to a meeting where he was unsure how he would be received. I am so very blessed that he came to MY class, and can honestly say that I instantly loved him as much as the others: little Dano, with the huge heart, and a ready gift!

Christ came, too, as a little child, to await finding how He would be received. He was born in the humblest of circumstances, and it was He, the Christ, who gave everything he had with him: His love, teachings, His healing power, and His very life. Some of us may feel we have very little, and may be overwhelmed with problems and trials. It is this Christ who will never leave us, who will bless us with His love and peace, despite our circumstances, and even bless us with miracles, if we will but have faith and look to Him always. If we feel hopeless, we must check what our hope is anchored in. For true and lasting hope, we can reach out to the only sure anchor, our never changing, eternally loving Savior. I bless the day Dano taught me how to give like Him.

That's an actual picture of Dano's dinosaur that we still hang up on the Hart Family Christmas tree every year.  I hope you all liked that story!  Go ahead, print it off, and read it to your family when everyone's gathered. :)

People are... Human?

We all make mistakes.  Simple as that.  I, myself, have made millions of them throughout my short lifespan of twenty-some years...

Shocking, right?

Mistakes are made, feelings are hurt, some choice words are said, then someone goes home with a knot stuck in their throat and a feeling that they've been wronged.
 
Accepting that truth has been something that I have had some difficulty with throughout my  life.

Let me clarify; I've tried to make a distinction between a person and their actions, President Monson puts it pretty well in this Mormon Message below-

We don't know the reason a person did the things he or she did unless they explicitly tell us.  We don't know their circumstances and feelings(completely).  We can make guesses, but we don't honestly know.  I know I've jumped to an entirely wrong conclusion before(many times :(...). 

"So be kind regarding human frailty—your own as well as that of those who serve with you in a Church led by volunteer, mortal men and women. Except in the case of His only perfect Begotten Son, imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. That must be terribly frustrating to Him, but He deals with it. So should we."[Emphasis Added]

-Jeffrey R. Holland, "Lord, I Believe"

Even when people do things for a malicious reason, I've tried to think about the bright side of things, after all, as Jeffrey R. Holland puts it-